Tragopan Satyra
Origin: Himalayan Mountain-range
Description: It is a rather large pheasant, set relatively high, somewhat
upright. The male tragopan has a black top of the head, and a red band
at the sides of the crest. The upper back, the upper part of the breast
are deap red, the underside is read with black and white round spots,
which become larger and greyer towards the belly. The undertail covered
feathers are red with white, brown-rimmed spots and black feather hems.
The back, tail and wings are brown, covered with small black, red, olive-green
and white spots. The eye is brown, the beak black, the naked skin-patch
is blue, at the sides green with four red spots on either side, the naked
throat is blue.
The fleshy horns on the head are blue, the legs are pink.
The length is approximately 70 cm.
The female is a reddy-brown on top, with faint yellow and brown pattern,
the tail is brown with irregular black and crème pattern, the chin
and throat are yellow-brown with black colour.
The lower part is a bit lighter in colour, the lower belly is dirty white,
the legs are grey/brown. The length is 57 cm.
The young males in the first year are recognizable by the red that will appear on the chest and the neck, and by the black head. They will also stand higher on their feet than the young females.
This bird can be kept well in a reasonable space volière, somewhat
like 15m2 or larger. They will be pleased with a half open cage. The volière
must be grown with firm bushes and small trees, because the birds like
to climb on branches. Tragopans will become very tame and affectionate.
Concerning the correct feeding, the opinions diverge, but alternation
in greenness fodder and fruit will keep the birds in a good condition.
A couple of times per week you can give soft fodder in which you can add
vitamins for example. The volière-bed must be well dry because
moisture is bad for these birds. “The sitting-stick” must
be placed high under the roof for protection against storm and rain.
The female will lay her eggs into a basket, highly placed. She lays three
or four times per season an average of four eggs, provided that you take
them away immediately. you can let the last breed be bred, it's a wonderfull
thing to see in nature.
The breedingperiod is 28 days, the eggs will be laid every other day.
Tragopans are kept pair-wise most of the time.
